2015 has been full of a number of exciting developments, particularly with respect to writing.

I attended a number of workshops, festivals, conferences and retreats in 2015 – including giving my first workshop on Writing Description, Giving a Sense of Place at the Omega Christian Writers Conference in October.

In July I finished my final subject for the Masters of Arts (Writing) through Swinburne University of Technology. I flew down to Melbourne in December to attend the graduation ceremony – and to connect with family, friends and look at Art Galleries with my daughter.

Seven of my poems have been published this year.  I was particularly pleased to make the Judge’s Choice with Poetica Christi’s Inner Child anthology (with ‘Thunderstorm’) and runner-up in the FAWQ 2015 Toowoomba Poetry Prize (with ‘The Real Thing’).

A number of my short stories have also been published – starting with ‘The Herbalist’s Daughter’ (Tied in Pink anthology for Breast Cancer Research) in December 2014 – and then this year, ‘Broken Promises’ in Another Time, Another Place; ‘Sandy: Perfect Plans’ in Let the Sea Roar; ‘Ruhanna’s Flight’ in Glimpses of Light; and ‘Lakwi’s Lament’ in Like a Girl, Plan anthology.

Anthologies available on Amazon.com (and as e-books on Amazon.com.au). Check out my Amazon Central Author’s Page.

Let the Sea Roar

My association with this Let the Sea Roar began a few years ago, when the editor Madeleine accepted my story ‘Sandy: Perfect Plans’ and then asked to include the poem ‘Lighthouse’ as well. An earlier version of ‘Lighthouse’ was published on Jenny’s Thread in 2013.

There are nine authors with twenty-eight stories about women of different ages, in different circumstances and walks of life, who find themselves in difficult, even overwhelming situations. Despite the pressure to give up hope, each of the women find a way forward – with faith, determination, new understandings and new possibilities. The stories are written with differences in style, reflect different life experiences and insights.

I also had fun designing the cover (with Lynne Bickhoff’s beautiful painting – used with permission) and the book design of Let the Sea Roar.

I hope that many others will also enjoy the stories in this inspirational anthology.

Glimpses of Light

Glimpses of Light celebrates 2015 as International Year of Light. It started as an idea in late 2014 and wouldn’t have come to fruition without hours of work from my co-editor, Nola Passmore as well as our team of supporting editors, proof-readers and contributors.

The anthology has an engaging and inspiration collection of short stories, poems and creative non-fiction centred around the theme of light – especially, of finding light in dark place.

It’s been wonderful having multi-published and award winning authors contributing as well as fresh new talent. I particularly enjoyed the number of spec fic, though there is also contemporary suspense, family drama, personal reflections and allegory.

We are currently holding a Goodreads Giveaway for Glimpses of Light (running until the 10 January).

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Glimpses of Light

by Jeanette O’Hagan

Giveaway ends January 10, 2016.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

I’m looking forward to more exciting developments in 2016. More on that later.

Jenny

For my very dear friend, Carol.

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalm 107:29 NIV  (see 23-32)

Lighthouse
By Jeanette O’Hagan

5 August 2013

Steady light in the dark, stormy maw of the night
obscured by driving rains or, perhaps, my own tear blurred sight -
Jesus, my Lord and God, you are the lighthouse of my life.
Giver of breath, love and meaning in the midst of human strife,
forgive me when I doubt you or, dreaming, wanting, scheming,
drift away from your shining beacon of light,
towards the sharp toothed rocks of my own devise.

Lord, be the storm anchor of my floundering ship,
the farsighted captain guiding me through life’s tempests,
past sharp rocks and submerged reefs of criticism and pain,
against the riptides of laziness and despair,
through cold, drenching waves of self doubt and fear.
Jesus, you are the steady rock, the lighthouse of my life,
your beacon glimmers through the darkness bright and clear.

You bring me safely into the haven of your embrace,
Tending, mending, you refurbish and strengthen
And drawing closer, you turn towards me your bright face
And whisper “My child, fear not for I am with you”
And your love shines forth echoing with wild joyous cheer
And though you send me out again on thrashing seas
Lighthouse of my life, I know I will always find sweet haven in thee.

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